PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Joshua O Benditt
TI  - Surgical Options for Patients With COPD: Sorting Out the Choices
DP  - 2006 Feb 01
TA  - Respiratory Care
PG  - 173--182
VI  - 51
IP  - 2
4099  - http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/51/2/173.short
4100  - http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/51/2/173.full
AB  - Surgical procedures designed to improve pulmonary function and quality of life of patients with advanced emphysema have been attempted for more than a century. Of the many attempted procedures, only giant bullectomy, lung transplantation, and lung-volume-reduction surgery have withstood the test of time and are currently being practiced. This article reviews each of these procedures and also develops a rational approach to selecting appropriate candidates for these 3 interventions.